Oxford University Press lexicographer and Countdown regular Suzi Dent told The AP that 'omnishambles' had been chosen because of its popularity and "linguistic productivity", and noted the British press's coinage of the word 'Romneyshambles' to describe former US presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Other shortlisted terms included 'mummy porn' - a phrase which has been used to describe EL James' erotic fiction trilogy Fifty Shades - and the 'Mobot', which was the name given to double Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah's celebratory dance.

Photo gallery - Celebrities do the 'Mobot':

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London mayor Boris Johnson performs the Mobot during a press conference on London 2012.
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